How Do Restaurants Control Pests?

Restaurants can control pests in several ways. The importance of pest control in restaurants cannot be understated. Maybe you are asking, “How do I keep mice out of my restaurant?” Or, maybe, “How can I best control roaches?” Here are some tips for pest control. First, you need a restaurant pest control checklist. A QualityPro Food Safety certified pest control company will help you protect your image and your brand.

Reviewing and Excluding

Your pest control company should be your
partner and your asset for controlling pests. The company should be able to
make suggestions for you to help keep pests out of your restaurant. For
example, your pest control company should look all around your restaurant and check
for possible entry points. You may have a crack that’s not sealed, for example.
This crack might allow all sorts of pests to get in. Roaches, flies, ants, and
rodents might be able to squeeze through that crack, even if it’s small.
Sealing the crack prevents any pests from getting in in the first place. This is
what specialists call an exclusion.

Eliminate the Reason to Stay

Once you have looked at ways the pests can
get in, the next step in your plan should be elimination. You need to get rid
of any sources of food, water or shelter. When pests are moving into a new
area, they are looking for this. There are some simple ways restaurant owners
can eliminate this problem before it begins. Store foodstuffs away from walls and
make sure the storage area of shelving sits 6 inches off the floor. Make sure you
take out the trash promptly and place it in a dumpster. You need to clean and
maintain all grease traps. Your dumpster area needs to be trash-free and
sanitary. These are all ways you can prevent pests from setting up in your
place of business.

Be on the Lookout

Once you have ensured that you have done
everything you can to prevent pests, you need to stay vigilant. Look for signs
you may have a problem. For example, if you see small shells that are black,
dark red, or brown, you may have a cockroach problem. This is especially true
if you see specks of black pepper grains — which are usually roach droppings.
You might also notice a strong oily smell in some areas of the restaurant. Do
you have a large number of flies? Do they seem to surround your dumpster or
garbage containers? You may need more help with fly control. If you see
droppings or smell ammonia, you may have a rodent issue. You may need
restaurant pest control near you if you see signs something besides a customer is
coming in.

Are you having pest control issues at your restaurant? You need a partner that is licensed in food processing and public health. Contact NJ Pest Control today and let us help you keep your restaurant pest-free.